Week in Review

PUBLIC SAFETY

A recent surge in heroin-related arrests doesn’t necessarily mean the drug is on the rise in Newport-Mesa, authorities said this week.

In recent months, police in both cities have been making more than the usual number of arrests for heroin possession or being under the influence of heroin. The street price for the hard drug is also down, which means there’s more out there, police said.

Most of the people arrested have purchased the drug in other cities and are bringing it into Newport Beach or Costa Mesa, police said.

The heroin seized by local police is mainly tar heroin ? sold in small, sticky or hard rocks ? made in Mexico or Columbia.